(translation: "In December of 1873 the excavation of
this insula began – which would have been inhabited by many people. In fact you
don't see great luxury homes, nor large rooms, where rich Pompeian passed life
in idleness and pleasure; if you instead look at the great economy of space,
small homes and shops mixed with workshops, it's not difficult to argue that
here lived people in the middle class, which however well-to-do they certainly
did not enjoy the most splendid position.

This was an insula, where there
were frequent transformations, for which it is difficult to glimpse what was
the original form; it does not lack however, the remains of primitive
constructions, alongside others of a later date, as can be seen in many places
in Pompeii.

Its area was 2948 sq. m., and was bounded on the west by the
“cardo”, on the north by via secunda, and east by a parallel vicolo to the
“cardo” and in the south by the via tertia, that separated it from Insula’s 1
and 5:the border that flanked it by
three sides excluding the east and on via tertia opposite No. 28, you will see
a small bridge, formed by a boulder placed to serve to unite the two edges,
(see photo No. 42 c)."